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SUNDAY READINGS
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July 31, 2008
From the Rector's Desk
 Yesterday (Wednesday, July 30) around the world the Anglican Church and many others honour the memory of William Wilberforce. In fact, our noon Eucharist today is celebrated in thanksgiving to God for his life and witness, observed around the date of Wilberforce's death in 1833.
He was a man that exerted tremendous influence and energy in a direction that was almost totally opposed by most others—the elimination of the trading in human lives: slavery. By the time Wilberforce became fully engaged through his role in parliament in the attempt to outlaw slavery, the practice was responsible for more than 80% of England's foreign income. Up to 50,000 Africans were being seized on the coasts of that continent and shipped westward to lives of captivity and hardship each year. It was responsible for the wealth of many, on both sides of the Atlantic—those that would fight at all costs to protect their wealth and means of income. So Wilberforce, and the others who took up the cause, were up against enormous opposition, and that not just political.
But this hadn't always been his interest. He was born into a wealthy family, educated at Cambridge, and ran for parliament at a young age. He made friends that would be powerful men, including William Pitt, the future Prime Minister of England. Wilberforce was a witty conversationalist, avid card player and gifted singer. He was the kind of man to know in society—a Christian, yes, but not one to rock the boat.
It was his encounter with Christ in the evangelical movement sweeping England that brought a deepening of conviction to his work, and led him for a time to consider taking up holy orders as a priest in the church. It was another priest, John Newton, the former slave trader captured by God's 'amazing grace' that convinced Wilberforce to remain in parliament and see his work there as a holy vocation before God.
But it wasn't easy. It took many years of failures and setbacks along the way, including the deterioration of Wilberforce's health, to see slavery abolished. The final vote in parliament was only concluded after his death, although he had been assured of its success.
Wilberforce's powerful example and witness have influenced countless people around the globe. There were others, certainly, that were just as committed to the cause, but because of his public role he had a unique and visible part to play in committing the force of government to the action of good—a commitment that cost him many friends and much personal goodwill over the years.
The one thing that strikes me about Wilberforce, among many qualities, is the singular commitment to a life's work—something of significance that can only be accomplished over many decades. This has largely been lost in our own age. According to UC-Berkeley, college graduates expect to work five or six different careers before they retire. Not just various jobs, but actually different careers. While there is strength and health in growth and adjustment, we do need those who will make lasting commitments to goals that are related to God's kingdom purposes, and that cannot be measured in a few years. These may be personal goals, or work related, or our life together in the church. God certainly uses all of these areas. But it's an important question that we have to consider in light of Wilberforce's sacrifice—certainly it has me thinking... and praying:
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, kindle in your church the never-failing gift of love, that, following the example of your servant William Wilberforce, we may have grace to defend the poor, and maintain the cause of those who have no helper; for the sake of him who gave his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Read some more:
Christian History - William Wilberforce
Some of Wilberforce's own writing on the web:
A Practical View...
May you have a wonderful week, full of God's peace and joy.
In His Grip,
Jay
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
Worship this Sunday
This week we will combine our worship celebration with brothers and sisters from Mt. Zion Anglican Church in Chicago, Redeemer at Northwestern, and the Evangelical Church of Highland Park. Invite friends to worship with us in a multi-cultural, global expression of our unity and common mission in the Lord. We will have a time of fellowship following the service.
This weekend is expected to be very warm in Chicago, and although our new air conditioning has been working well, there will be more people in the sanctuary—so dress comfortably for a hot August Sunday.
Calendar Items:
— This Sunday bring canned goods for area food pantries
— Wednesday, August 6th, there will be no noon Eucharist as Father Jay will out of town.
— What's Up with GAFCON? Join us next Sunday, August 10th, for a Coffee Hour Forum on the recent conference in Jerusalem and its likely implications for the Church.
In the Arts ...
— On Thursday, Father Jay will speak to over 40 drama directors, drawn from around the world, at Chicago's Cultural Center. He will share an hour with a Rabbi to talk about liturgy and worship as part of a Director's Lab event focused on myth and ritual. Jenny Montgomery has been involved in helping to plan this time, and requests prayers.
— Jenny will also present program and background notes Thursday night following a performance of the highly acclaimed "Superior Donuts" at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre.
Hunger Relief Report
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Hunger Relief Yard Sale last weekend, and also to those who volunteered their time and energy. Over $500 was raised in one day to aid Compassion in its efforts to address the Global Food Crisis. The hope is that the sale will encourage others to think creatively about how they can get involved in the needs of the world around them.
Stewards
There are many ways we steward our gifts and talents in the service of God and his kingdom. Thank you for faithfully praying, giving and participating in the common life that we share in Christ. Part of that is financial—but certainly it's only a portion of how we live as stewards—those entrusted with the gospel and the gifts placed in our community by the Lord. But it is not an inconsequential part.
Summer is usually a slower time for us financially, and that has been true of July. Thanks be to God that we are growing as a church and as a people, and let us continue to seek the Lord for ongoing provision and stewardship in our service.
Average offering needed each week: $6900
Offering last Sunday: $3970
Offerings for the month of July: $18,764
Budgeted offerings for July: $23,750
2008 Giving shortfall at end of July: $17,000
Prayer for Lambeth
July 16 to August 3 is the Lambeth Conference held in Canterbury, England. Convened every ten years by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the conference usually gathers all of the Anglican bishops from around the world. However, due to the tear in the fabric of the Anglican Communion, brought about by revisionist churches in the 'West', this year's conference will not have many of the Global South leaders in attendance. In fact, our own Anglican Mission Bishops and Archbishop Kolini will not be attending. But there are some African, South American, Australian and Common Cause (from USA and Canada) bishops going, and we have been asked by our leadership to pray. Bishop Sandy Greene said in Jerusalem that the scripture that came to him was:
Esther 4:14 "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Archbishop Kolini has asked to pray for God to give protection, boldness and wisdom for the Bishops attending.
Prayer Notes . . .
- for the Mission and Vision and Outreach of Church of the Redeemer
- for our children and children around the world
- for those in need in body, mind and spirit
- for those traveling during the summer months
- for our small groups and Bible studies
- for new people at Redeemer, and their connection here
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